Convertible plumb and level



Nov. 2 192% "A. H. NERBQN CONVERTIBLE PLUMB AND LEVEL Filed Dec. 6, 1924 fins INVENTOR.

ALPIC ff M1950 ATTORNEY. Z

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED star ALRIC H. NERBON, OF LAWRENCEBURG, INDIANA.

CONVERTIBLE PLUMB AND LEVEL.

Application filed December 6, 1924.

My invention relates to plumbs and levels which are particularly adapted. and intended for use by brick layers and stone masons.

Heretofore these workmen have found it 5 necessary to provide themselves with two instruments, one long and one short, for making the necessary true adjustments of the work, for the reason that a short'level is necessary for certain vertical work and cannot be used for certain horizontal work, and for the reason that a long level is necessary for certain horizontal work and certain vertical Work but cannot be used for all horizontal work or all vertical work.

The objects of my invention are to provide the workmen with a single instrument which is adapted for all vertical work and all horizontal work, which is adapted to be readily separated and the sections compactly arranged for carrying in hand grip and which sections are adapted to be readily connected or disconnected for use either as a long level or a short level and to provide a convertible level for both horizontal and vertical work of all kinds which is considerably cheaper than two separate levels such as heretofore used.

My invention consists in the construction, combination, arrangement and location of 30 parts, as herein set forth and claimed:

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my level when assembled to form along horizontal level or a long vertical plumb;

Fig. .2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the section shown detached from the other sections for use as a short level or plumb;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of one end of one of the sections before the coupling plate has been mounted in position;

Fig. 5 is an isometric View of the same after the coupling plate has been mounted in position therein;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the coupling plate;

Fig. 7 is a section thereof;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the coupling screw by which the sections are firmly held together;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section, showing the manner of coupling two sections together.

In the embodiment of my invention, as illustrated and which shows a preferred construction, I separate the instrument into Serial No. 754,363.

three sections 1, 2 and?) and these sections are detachably connected together at the joints by connecting plates 4% and 5 each of which is countersunk in the adjacent ends and the shank "of which snugly fits in socket 7. These. plates are firmly held in place by screws 8. Eachof these plates provided with an internal thread 9 to receive therein threaded coupling screw 10 whereby said adjacent sections are securelycoupled together. ole 6 in section 2 is provided with threads in the wall of shank 5 .of plate 5 whereby a set screw 12 isadapted to be inserted against the end portion 10 of coupling screw 10 to hold said screw from turning in section 2 while section 1 is being connected or disconnected from section 2. A similar construc tion of parts is provided for connecting sections 2 and 3.

As clearly seen in Fig. 5, end plate 5 does not extend entirely across the end of the section, but leaves a considerable thickness of wood at each end of the plate so that after the wood is worn off and becomes irregular it may be planed down and refinished a number of times, thereby greatly increasing the life of the implement.

Section 1 is provided with plumb 13, level 14., section 2 with level 15, and section 3 with plumb 16.

When the sections of the instrument are assembled, ready for use, as shown in Fig. 1, it may be placed adjacent to the work for leveling and the proper level obtained by observing either level 14: or 15. Or if it is desired to use the three sections as a plumb the proper vertical position will be determined by observing the plumb 18 or 16.

It frequently occurs, however, that it is impossible to true certain work either vertically or horizontally except by the use of a comparatively short instrument. This I always have ready at hand in section 1 which can be easily and quickly unscrewed from section 2 and used either vertically or horizontally. It is particularly useful as a spirit plumb for use by brick layers in laying the soldier course of bricks, that is when placing the bricks in position vertically in which situation the long ordinary horizontal level could not be used at all and my sectional level could not be conveniently used for that purpose, whereas section 1 thereof, when detached, forms an ideal instrument for that purpose. There are also certain short spaces in which the ordinary level for horizontal adjustments cannot be used and in such cases I use either section 1 or remove section 2 from sections 1 and 3 and utilize it for such purpose. Thus I have a triple instrument in one.

It will be observed that I have provided a very convenient, economical, serviceable, compact and highly eflicient and desirable instrument which is splendidly adaptablefor a great variety of situations encountered by brick layers and stone masons in the practical prosecution at their work.

Vhile I have shown a particular construction and arrangement of parts it will be understood that it is capable of some modification without departure from its scope or sphere.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

The combination in a sectional level and plumb of detachable sections, each of which is provided in its end with a depression and socket, an end plate secured in each depression and having an internally threaded shank fitting in said socket and one of said shanks having a threaded opening in its side adapted to register with an opening in the side of the section in which said shank is mounted, a. bolt having plain cylindrical end portions with intermediate screw threads adapted to be screwed into each shank and a set screw inserted through said opening and screwed into said shank against the smooth surface of said bolt whereby it is firmly held from turning therein, and whereby said sections are firmly brought together and held in alinement with each other and detachably connected.

ALRIC H. NERBON. 

